A La Carte: Fall opening planned for Loukinens' on 4th

Keith Loukinen helped create the feel and flavor of NICK & NINO’S PENTHOUSE STEAKHOUSE and the GRILLE AT CITY CENTRE as Wyndham Springfield’s long-standing director of food and beverage.

Now he is taking that same flare to craft his own downtown upscale dining spot -- LOUKINENS’ ON 4TH.

Renovations have begun on the long-vacant building at 517 S. Fourth St. just across from the Executive Mansion.

“With repairs on the mansion and the new park, we thought this was a good time for something like this,” said Loukinen, who stepped down from his eight-year post at the downtown hotel to pursue this dream.

He co-owns the restaurant with wife Laurie. Combined, the couple have more than 25 years’ experience in the food and hospitality industry.

The menu will focus on locally grown, seasonally available ingredients. The space -- formerly home to ARTURO’S -- has been gutted and will undergo a conversion into a modern look to match the contemporary American cuisine.

A fall opening is planned.

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The ILLINOIS STEWARDSHIP ALLIANCE has named Chicago native Liz Moran Stelk as the new executive director for the Springfield-based, nonprofit organization.

Stelk will replace Lindsay Record, who spent a decade leading the alliance’s efforts to support local food and farmers through education, advocacy and promotion.

Stelk previously served as a regional organizer with the Western Organization of Resource Councils in Montana, helping farmers and ranchers in a seven-state region with food and agriculture policy.

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Springfield native Kevin Boehm was among five finalists named last week in the outstanding restaurateur category for the 2017 James Beard Foundation Awards.

Boehm and his business partner, Rob Katz, own the BOKA RESTAURANT GROUP in Chicago that operates a dozen Chicago dining establishments, including BOKA, GIRL & THE GOAT and MOMOTARO.

The finalists were announced at an event in Los Angeles. Boka Restaurant Group was joined by other restaurateurs based in Boston, Los Angeles, New Orleans and Philadelphia.

Last year, Boehm and Katz were among the finalists in the same category.

Winners of the 27th annual James Beard Foundation Awards will be revealed May 1 at the Chicago Lyric Opera. The gala is open to the public. Tickets go on sale Wednesday at the foundation’s website. Price is $425 for members, $500 for non-members.

Boehm founded his first fine-dining establishment, INDIGO, on Springfield’s west side in 1998. Indigo continues today at 3013 Lindbergh Blvd. under the ownership of Mike Novel.

It's the third anniversary of the Minnesota-based chain’s Free Cone Day, which gives all visitors a small vanilla soft-serve cone for free while supplies last.

The event goes hand-in-hand with the chain collecting donations for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Last year, the Dairy Queen system raised $200,000 for the not-for-profit during the one-day event.

Selections include Guinness’s Extra Stout, Blonde and Smithwicks and will be served with buffalo and sesame Thai chicken wings and a vegetable and cheese tray.

The event is from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the tasting room at the grocery at 2115 S MacArthur Blvd. Cost is $10 a person. For reservations, call 726-1001 or email 1640clubmgr@hy-vee.com.

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APPLEBEE’S is joining forces with the Alzheimer’s Association to host a pancake fundraiser from 8 to 10 a.m. Saturday.

The meal -- served at Applebee’s at 3335 Veterans Parkway -- includes pancakes, bacon and a drink for $5. Tickets are available at the association’s office at 2309 White Oaks Drive or at the restaurant the day of the event.

Proceeds go to the Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Illinois Chapter.

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LOS CABOS MEXICAN RESTAURANT has opened in Lincoln.

The new cantina filled the Woodlawn Shopping Center Plaza vacancy left by DON PANCHITO.

CAFÉ MOXO is hosting an Adopt-A-Day blood drive for the Central Illinois Community Blood Center on Monday.

Donors will receive a coupon for a free breakfast. Blood donations will be taken from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. To schedule an appointment, call 241-7550 or online at www.CICBC.org. Walk-ins welcome. The blood center is at 1999 Wabash Ave.

-- The A La Carte column highlights restaurant openings, closings, renovations and relocations, as well as personnel changes and business news. Natalie Morris can be reached at 737-7254 or by email at natalie.sjr@gmail.com.

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